Mri results, what is going on?

teteri66

Do you still have pain in your legs?

The good news is that the fall seems not to have caused a fracture. The MRI does not indicate any significant issue at these two lumbar levels.

I suppose the bad news is that you still have symptoms and still aren't sure what is causing them.

At both levels the disc has flattened slightly and the adjoining facet joints are showing a small amount of arthritic-type change.This may mean they are slightly enlarged. Sometimes this is enough to cause pain even though it doesn't look like much on the MR images.

What type of doctor ordered the MRI? Your PCP or family doctor may be able to recommend a course of treatment. It may be that conservative treatment such as a course of physical therapy, massage, etc. and the passage of time will help to ameliorate the pain.

skcritters

Yes, unfortunately I am still getting horrible pain in my lower back which, on occasion, shoots pain in my hips and down my legs.
Yes, my PCP ordered the MRI. I meet with him tomorrow, 3-14.
Thank you for your response ;-)

teteri66

I would imagine that from the fall there may still be some residual inflammation, either in the facet joints or in the surrounding tissue. The pain in hips and radiating down the leg is a typical pattern for an "issue" with those two lower lumbar segments. (look online for a dermatome map to show you which body parts are innervated by which spinal nerve...)

Let us know how your appointment goes.